CINCINNATI — Shanghai Mama's, one of Downtown's most beloved late-night spots, is reopening with a new name on Elm Street.
"We're trying to bring Shanghai to a new stage," said Alex Chin, owner of the restaurant.
Shanghai Mama's will now be known as Shanghai on Elm, the owners announced on Facebook Saturday. The restaurant at 700 Elm St. opens Monday for carryout only. The owners said dine-in service will not be available for a few months to protect staff and guests.
Shanghai Mama's closed in September after new owners purchased the building and chose not to renew Chin's lease.
Chin said the plan was always to move the restaurant to the corner of 7th and Elm, however. What they didn't anticipate was closing their location on Sixth Street of 20 years so soon.
"We like the location and, time to time, things change," said Chin. "Everything changes. Besides the pandemic, I think the demographic of Downtown has changed quite a bit."
Chin said the pandemic hasn't helped the restaurant either, tanking profits as low as 70%, then move-out plans stalled. He had to let go of his six employees.
"Unfortunately this thing happened and everybody got hurt," said Chin. "Everybody got hurt. You can't predict that."
Since then, the owners have raised more than $13,000to fund the renovation of their new home on Elm Street.
Business hours for Shanghai on Elm will be Monday through Saturday from 2 p.m. to 12 a.m.
